TEXTILE ART

My machine embroideries are based on life drawings I did many years ago. I started drawing with the machine to try and show people that needle and thread are as much an artists tools as paint and paintbrush, pencil and paper, pen and ink.

DOLLS

Dolls seem to invoke different reactions in people. Many of us (both girls and boys) grew up with some kind of attachment to a doll or stuffed animal, with which we shared our secrets.

My dolls evolve from memories, remembered phrases, and sometimes found objects that I have picked up in familiar places. They are personal to me because of where they came from, but at the same time they evoke memories in others of past experiences. I hope they speak to you.

Ivey

wire armature base with soft sculpturesold

Jack had a heart of ice. His only love was for painting.

wire armature base with soft sculpture & oil stained glass windowsold

Tom the Shepherd and Puppy

wire armature base with soft sculpturecommissionsold

Edward found himself at loose ends, after he retired from the theatre.

BIOGRAPHY

Elaine was born in London, England in 1964, by the age of 5 she had already discovered a love of textiles. Taught by her mother and both grandmothers she was soon sewing, knitting, and embroidering anything she could get her hands on. As a child she designed and made clothing for first her dolls and then for herself.

In 1978 she moved to Canada with her parents where they settled in London, Ontario.

At 17, after collecting antique clothing for several years, Elaine started volunteering in the wardrobe department at The Grand Theatre. This led to her enrolling at The National Theatre School in Montreal where she studied Costume and Set Design for the following 3 years.

In 1986 she moved back to London, Ontario with her husband and new baby, and started working full time at The Grand Theatre. Working initially as a seamstress, Elaine soon found herself also making jewellery, hats, and other accessories. After a few seasons she became Assistant Head of Wardrobe and stayed in this capacity until she left to pursue her own interests in 2001.

From 2001 to 2007 Elaine worked with Paddy Kelleher Designs making Irish Dance costume.

As it has since childhood, the manipulation of fabric has seemed natural to Elaine and she often found herself studying a plant or object, trying to figure out how she could make it using fibre. Elaine has always worked with an idea or phrase in mind and just let the piece evolve using natural fibres. The juxtaposition of hard objects like: gourds, wood, silver, and copper with softer fibres like: linen, wool, and silk gives a welcome challenge to the eye.

Elaine has exhibited work in several shows over the past few years, and when she is not working at The Art Exchange, she is starting to explore the simple lines of machine embroidery. The next challenge will be to combine these embroidered lines with her gourd boxes.